Green Business

How Sustainability Can Help You Land Big Clients

By Kelly Spors - Sep 14, 2011 - 4 Comments

Many small businesses dream of breaking their products into the supply chains of big companies. Being “green” can give you an edge over other, less environmentally friendly competitors. That’s because more big companies – from Ford to IKEA to UPS – are expecting their suppliers to … Read More

5 Mistakes Businesses Make When Going Green

By Kelly Spors - Aug 18, 2011 - 1 Comment

We often talk about all the things businesses are doing right with environmental sustainability. And that’s how it should be: Being an environmentally conscious company is a positive thing and worthy of applause. But there’s also value in evaluating what’s not working so well – what can be … Read More

How Much Does Your State Support Green Business?

By Kelly Spors - Jul 25, 2011 - 4 Comments

Where your business is based can impact on how green you are. That’s the takeaway of a recent top 10 ranking of states by Site Selection magazine that ranked U.S. states on how well they engage in environmentally sustainable practices. The rankings look at attributes such green industry … Read More

4 Ways to Engage Your Customers in Your Green Efforts

By Kelly Spors - Jul 7, 2011 - 6 Comments

It’s great to be a green business. But even better is being a green business with customers who are highly passionate about your sustainability initiatives. Many of today’s popular “green” brands – think Seventh Generation or Whole Foods – have found ways to get their customers … Read More

4 Ways to Use Less Paper at Your Business

By Kelly Spors - Jun 24, 2011 - 8 Comments

If you look in the trash can or – let’s hope -- recycling bins at many businesses, you’ll probably find a ton of paper. Paper is one of the most common waste products at most businesses, and thus one of the biggest sustainability opportunities many small businesses have. Cutting down on … Read More

A Not So Radical Idea: Encouraging Your Customers to Buy Less

By Kelly Spors - Jun 2, 2011 - 3 Comments

There's a growing movement in the green business world that's about more than just creating eco-friendly products – it’s about encouraging so-called sustainable consumption. It’s about getting consumers to buy less and think more holistically about their purchases. “The need to develop … Read More

6 Questions to Ask Before Signing a “Green Lease”

By Kelly Spors - May 5, 2011 - 7 Comments

You might lease your facility or office, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be green. More property managers and tenants are signing so-called green leases. While the term is used loosely, these essentially are lease agreements struck between landlords and tenants in buildings that adhere to … Read More

Marking Earth Day (Month?) in Meaningful Ways

By Kelly Spors - Apr 21, 2011 - 7 Comments

Tomorrow is Earth Day. Well, is it Earth Day, Earth Week or Earth Month? Apparently, it’s all three. But Earth whatever-you-call-it has, in recent years, become something of a PR bonanza. Businesses use April to strut their greenness, sometimes in trite or superficial ways. (“Come to our … Read More

Why to Think Twice About Green Labels

By Kelly Spors - Apr 8, 2011 - 3 Comments

Getting your business or product “green certified” may seem like a smart way to show your customers and prospective customers that you adhere to environmentally friendly practices. But be careful. You could end up spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a green label that’s … Read More

Why It’s Time to Kick Your Green Initiatives Up a Notch

By Kelly Spors - Mar 18, 2011 - 6 Comments

Results of the second-annual Sustainability & Innovation Survey of global corporate leaders by MIT’s Sloan Management Review and Boston Consulting Group suggest that green practices are taking firm root in the business world. Nearly 60 percent of the 3,000 businesses surveyed said they are … Read More

5 Strategies for Saving Water at Your Business

By Kelly Spors - Mar 1, 2011 - 8 Comments

Saving water doesn't often rise to the top of businesses' sustainability initiatives, especially in regions where water shortages aren't everyday concern. But it should get more attention. Environmental scientists expect worldwide shortages of fresh water to be one of the most pressing … Read More

Is It Time to Consider an Electric Vehicle for Your Business?

By Kelly Spors - Feb 3, 2011 - 4 Comments

For many businesses, vehicle travel produces the largest environmental impact. Think about all those meetings, errands and deliveries. Automobile usage should be part of any business's sustainability plan. Transportation accounts for about 30 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. One … Read More